Our Ambassadors

Rachel Ward AO, Patron

Rachel Ward AO, PatronRachel Ward AO is our Patron. Originally from the UK, Rachel is an actress, film director, columnist and screenwriter.

 

As an actress she starred in a number of films including Against All Odds, Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid, After Dark My Sweet, How to Get Ahead in Advertising, The Umbrella Woman and The Thorn Birds.

 

Most recently Rachel has focused her time on writing and directing. In 2001, Ward won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Short Fiction Film for The Big House and Best Australian Film at Flickerfest. The film also won the Film Critics Circle of Australia Award, as did her 2003 film Martha's New Coat. In 2005, Ward was made a Member of the Order of Australia "for service to raising awareness of social justice through lobbying, mentoring and advocacy for the rights of disadvantaged and at-risk young people, and support for the Australian film and television industry."

 

In 2008, Rachel adapted and directed Beautiful Kate starring Ben Mendleson, Rachel Griffith and her husband Bryan Brown. It premiered at the Sydney Film Festival in June 2009.

 

"I am a passionate advocate of mentoring. I believe that it is a powerful and meaningful way to transform the lives of young people and it was this that brought me to YWCA NSW initially through my fundraising efforts with the Mother of all Balls. I encourage you to collaborate with me in not only recognizing the remarkable impact that YWCA NSW is having across the State but also sustaining them your time, talent and dollars as they work to support people at critical times."